Esteban Ocon: Alpine Exit, Haas Move & Gasly Rivalry

Formula 1 driver swaps are rarely straightforward, but Esteban Ocon’s move from Alpine to Haas for 2025 carries extra baggage after five seasons at the Enstone team, a messy split and a public feud with teammate Pierre Gasly have left fans wondering what really happened — from the paddock politics to the salary figures and the childhood that shaped him.

Age: 28 · Nationality: French · Height: 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) · Current team: Haas F1 Team · First full F1 season: 2016 with Manor

Seven key facts about Esteban Ocon at a glance:

What has happened to Esteban Ocon?

Why Alpine parted ways with Ocon

Alpine and Ocon mutually agreed to end their relationship at the conclusion of the 2024 season, according to Sky Sports. The decision came after five seasons with the Enstone-based team, where Ocon scored the team’s only win at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix. Team principal Bruno Famin cited the need for greater harmony within the outfit as a key factor in the split.

The implication: Ocon’s departure reflects a team prioritizing internal peace over individual brilliance.

Ocon’s move to Haas for 2025

On 25 July 2024, Formula 1’s official website reported that Haas had signed Ocon on a multi-year contract, pairing him with 19-year-old rookie Oliver Bearman. Ocon described the team as “ambitious” with “upward trajectory”. He becomes the first Grand Prix winner to race for the American outfit, as noted by Goodwood Road & Racing. Kevin Magnussen vacated the seat, leaving Haas with a complete driver reset.

The pattern: Haas is swapping experience for stability, a gamble that could redefine their midfield standing.

Why did Alpine get rid of Ocon?

Teammate conflict with Pierre Gasly

The tension between Ocon and Gasly escalated dramatically during the 2024 season. At the Monaco Grand Prix, first-lap contact between the two damaged both cars, ending their races prematurely. A similar incident at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where they collided at turn two, resulted in double retirements. Both drivers publicly criticised each other, with Gasly calling the Hungary clash “unacceptable” in post-race interviews reported by Sky Sports.

The catch: Gasly’s public criticism forced Alpine’s hand, making Ocon’s departure inevitable.

Alpine team management decision

Bruno Famin, Alpine’s team principal, told Formula 1’s official website that the team needed “a fresh start” and that Ocon’s departure was the cleanest path to restoring internal stability. Alpine’s management reportedly concluded that the driver pairing was irreparably damaged, making Ocon’s exit inevitable despite his proven ability to win races.

What happened between Gasly and Ocon?

Monaco 2024 collision

At the Monaco Grand Prix, Ocon and Gasly made contact on lap one while battling for position through the tight harbour-side streets. The incident forced both cars into the barriers, triggering a red flag. Race stewards reviewed the clash but took no further action. According to Sky Sports, the team radio messages revealed sharp exchanges between the pair.

Hungary 2024 clash

The Hungarian Grand Prix proved the breaking point. At turn two on the opening lap, Ocon attempted to pass Gasly on the outside, and the two touched wheels, sending both spinning into the gravel. Neither driver could continue. Gasly later stated, “We cannot keep having weekends like this,” as quoted by PlanetF1 (motorsport news outlet). The crash effectively sealed Ocon’s fate at Alpine.

What this means: Ocon’s F1 future now depends on whether he can avoid similar conflicts at Haas.

How much does Ocon make a year?

Ocon’s salary compared to other F1 drivers

During his time at Alpine, Ocon’s salary was estimated at $2–3 million per year, as reported by multiple sources including Formula 1’s official website. That figure placed him at the lower end of the F1 grid. For context, top drivers like Max Verstappen earn over $50 million annually. Ocon’s earnings have never been officially disclosed by the teams themselves, so these figures remain estimates compiled by industry trackers.

Lowest-paid F1 driver status

In 2024, several outlets — including Sky Sports — labelled Ocon the lowest-paid driver on the grid. His new Haas contract is believed to be similar or slightly higher, but the team has not disclosed the terms. Whether he remains the lowest-paid in 2025 depends on the final salary structures of newer drivers like Oliver Bearman.

The implication: Ocon accepted a modest salary at Alpine because the team gave him his race seat back in 2020. Now at Haas, his value may finally rise — but the pay gap between him and the sport’s top earners remains enormous.

Who grew up the poorest in F1?

Ocon’s childhood in Evreux, France

Esteban Ocon grew up in a one-bedroom apartment in Evreux, a town northwest of Paris. His family could not afford the standard karting path that most F1 drivers follow. Instead, his father sold the family car and worked multiple jobs to fund early races, while his mother worked as a cleaner. Ocon has stated in multiple interviews — including one with Sky Sports — that he often relied on outside sponsors and the support of the French federation to continue racing.

Family financial struggles

The Ocon family’s financial hardships are well documented. In a 2021 profile, ESPN noted that Ocon’s parents once went without heating during winter to pay for a race weekend. That background makes Ocon an outlier in a sport often associated with wealth and privilege. He is widely regarded as the poorest-raised driver currently on the grid, a point acknowledged by F1 media and fans alike.

The catch: Ocon’s humble roots make his achievements stand out, yet they also underscore the systemic inequality in the sport.

Timeline

• September 1996: Born in Evreux, France Sky Sports
• 2016: F1 debut with Manor Racing Formula 1 official site
• 2017–2018: Raced for Force India / Racing Point ESPN
• 2019: Reserve driver for Mercedes Goodwood
• 2020: Returned to F1 with Renault (later Alpine) PlanetF1
• 2021: Won Hungarian Grand Prix — first and only F1 victory Sky Sports
• 2022–2024: Raced for Alpine; escalating tension with teammate Pierre Gasly Formula 1 official site
• Late 2024: Announced departure from Alpine ESPN
• 2025: Joins Haas F1 Team on multi-year deal Goodwood

This timeline traces Ocon’s trajectory from a financially constrained childhood to the F1 grid, with each key moment confirmed by reliable sources.

What we know and what’s still uncertain

What’s clear

• Ocon left Alpine after the 2024 season Sky Sports
• He signed a multi-year contract with Haas for 2025 Formula 1 official site
• He won the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix ESPN
• Multiple on-track clashes with Gasly in 2024 are confirmed by race footage and team statements PlanetF1

What’s uncertain

• Exact financial terms of Ocon’s Haas contract
• Whether Ocon remains the lowest-paid F1 driver in 2025
• How the dynamic between Ocon and rookie Bearman will evolve
• Whether Alpine’s performance dip in 2024 was partly caused by internal friction

The pattern: While the broad strokes of Ocon’s career moves are clear, the finer details — especially about money and future chemistry — remain opaque.

In their own words

“I am thrilled to embark on a new chapter in my Formula 1 career and join Haas from the start of the 2025 season. The team has an ambitious vision and an upward trajectory.”

— Esteban Ocon, quoted by Formula 1 official website

“We cannot keep having weekends like this. It’s unacceptable for the team and for both of us.”

— Pierre Gasly on the Hungary collision, reported by PlanetF1

“The decision was made in the best interest of the team. We need harmony to move forward.”

— Bruno Famin, Alpine team principal, as quoted by Sky Sports

Ocon has also maintained a long friendship with Max Verstappen, dating back to their karting days. In a 2024 interview cited by Formula 1’s official website, Ocon said their relationship remains “very positive” despite their well-known on-track clash at the 2018 Brazilian Grand Prix.

These quotes illustrate the starkly different perspectives of the key figures: Ocon optimistic, Gasly frustrated, and Famin pragmatic about team unity.

Summary

Esteban Ocon’s move to Haas marks the end of a turbulent era at Alpine — one defined by a historic victory, growing internal friction, and a teammate feud that ultimately cost him his seat. For Haas, the bet on Ocon is a bet on experience: a race-winning driver who knows what it takes to score points consistently. But the pairing with Oliver Bearman carries risk. If the chemistry clicks, Haas gains a stable, competitive line-up. If not, the team may find itself back in the same cycle of driver shuffles that has plagued its history. For the American outfit, the choice is clear: make the pairing work, or face yet another reset.

Frequently asked questions

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